TEACH-IN: Beyond Violence: Exploring Alternatives to War

For Immediate Release

BEYOND VIOLENCE: EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO WAR
UC Berkeley event features Rabbi Michael Lerner, Joanna Macy, Prof. Michael Nagler and others in response to the tragic events of September 11

THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 5-7 PM
UC BERKELEY, WHEELER AUDITORIUM


WHAT: The Peace and Conflict Studies program at UC Berkeley and the University Religious Council present a panel of scholars, academics, authors and activists analyzing recent events and prescribing alternative courses of action in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. In addition to the renowned speakers, student poets and musicians will perform. Following the event, a coalition of UC Berkeley Student Groups, Global Exchange, the UC Berkeley ASUC and other local peace groups will organize delegations to visit the offices of local U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein. These groups will also coordinate various activities to ensure the safety of the local Muslim and Arab-American communities.

WHEN: This Thursday, September 20, 5 - 7 p.m.

WHERE: Wheeler Auditorium, UC Berkeley

WHO:
Rabbi Michael Lerner, Author of "The Politics of Meaning"/Editor of Tikkun magazine

Joanna Macy, Buddhist/Activist/Scholar

Professor Michael Nagler, Chair, Peace and Conflict Studies and author of "Is There No Other Way?: The Search for a Nonviolent Future"

And others...

WHY: With most political leaders calling for war and the government mobilizing for war, alternative viewpoints are being ignored. As Rabbi Michael Lerner recently wrote, "When violence becomes so prevalent throughout the planet, it's too easy to simply talk of 'deranged minds.' We need to ask ourselves, 'What is it in the way that we are living, organizing our societies, and treating each other that makes violence seem plausible to so many people,' And why is it that our immediate response to violence is to use violence ourselves --- thus reinforcing the cycle of violence in the world?" The purpose of this forum is to create a space where such constructive questions can be asked and where serious alternatives to perpetuating the cycle of violence can be explored.